Shim-filing clamp



H. F. SPOTTS SHIM FILING CLAMP May 25 1926.

Filed March 18, 1925 f2 W 773. w fq i w Patented May 25, 1926.

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' sHIM-FILIIJG CLAMP.

Application fiied March 18, 15-25. I Serial No. 16,38

. support a flat shim on its lower face while the opposite edges are being gripped by gripping jaws, the shim extending slightly above the surface of said jaws, whereby in filing the shim it'is suitably supported u-nderneath as well as being gripped by the jaws. y

The application of this operation can be readily recognized 'by machinists who are accustomed to adjusting bearings and the like.

The shim filing clamp shown herein contemplates adaptation to an ordinary vise and may be readily adjusted to accommodation of shims of different sizes and may be tightened in the vise to hold any shim within a wide range of sizes.

Other objects and advantages will be made manifest in the following specification of an embodiment of the invention'illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective of the shim filing clamp in its relation to an ordinary working vise,

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the shim filing clamp, and

Fig. 3 is a perspective of the shim filing clamp upside down, to better illustrate the construction.

The details of construction are as follows:

A pair of complementary gripping members 2 and 3 which are slidablein their relation with each other are formed as fol lows:

The gripping member 2 constitutes a base Or a block 1 upon which is transversely and centrally mounted a rectangular member 5 and upon the rectangular member 5 is imposed transversely a jaw 6. The

jaw 6 is comparatively thin so that an ordinary shim will stand considerably above the jaw member and it is preferably made of very hard steel which will not be susceptible to a filev The gripping edge 7 of the jaw 6 is straight and may be somewhat beveled with its upper portion projecting forwardly sons to better grip the edge of a shim 8. A lug 9. is formed onthe inner edge of the block at and extends longitudinally of and parallel to the member 5;

The second gripping member 3 comprises a base or block 10 similar to block t, having a lug 11 coextensive withxlug 9v and upon the upper face of the block 10 are mounted a pair of side members 12 and 13 which are of equal thickness withthe member 5 and areseparated sufficiently so that the member 5 mayslidably operate between the members 12and13. An expansion coil spring 1 1 isdisposed between the blockl and the block l0,'being held in place by the lugs 9 and 11, its office being to yieldably separate the gripping members 2 and 3.

Imposed upon the upper face of the side.

members 12 and 13 is a second jaw 15 of equal thickness to jaw 6 and upon the same plane. The jaw 15 is recessed in a semi-circular fashion as 16 to provide for the reception of the curved portion of the shim 8 and the gripping edge of the jaw 15 may bealso beveled slightly so that its upper edge may more firmly grip the edge of the shim 10. The parts necessary to be rigid with each other may be secured by-riveting or other suitable "means.

In the operation of the invention the shim 8 whichis'to be filed is placed upon the seat 20 which includes the upper faces of both the central member 5 and the side members 12 and 13. The gripping members 2 and 3 are then compressed toward each other against the action of the spring 14, the

blocks 1 and 10 being placed within the thickness to be properly gripped by the vise so that the side members 12 and 13 and the central member 5 may be extending slightly above the jaws'of the vise in order that they may be free to slidably work for the purpose of contracting the igripping members. j I V c When the aws of the vise are drawn It will be noted that the blocked and 10 are of suiiicient apart the opposing gripping members of the filing clamp will be automatically separated by the action of the spring 14 and the shim 8 may be readily removed without taking the filing clamp from the Vise 21.

It will thus be seen that a shim may be placed on the shim filing clamp as shown in Fig. 1, the shim being supportedon its flat surface by the central member or seat 20 and also by. the side members 12 and 13, while the edge of the shim is being gripped by the jaws 6 and 15. Therefore in filing a shim there is no opportunity for the shim to spring up and down and hence allow filing in the manner desired.

Various changes may be made without departingfrom the spirit of the invention as claimed.

hat is claimed is:

1. A shim filing clamp comprising in combination a base block, a flat central rectangular member secured thereto above the block, a second base block, a pair of flat side members attached, thereto above said block and slidable on the outside of the rectangular member, and thin gripping jaws on the top of the rectangular member and the side members, the rectangular memher and side members being adapted to supjort the flat side of a shim the ria in 7 2 Yb jaws being adapted to engage the edge of a shim, the base blocks being adapted to be secured in the jaws of a vise.

2. A shim filing clamp comprising in" combination a base block, a flat centrally mounted rectangular member secured to said block on the upper surface thereof, a second base block, a pair of flat side members attached to opposite ends of the second base block at the top thereof, said pair of side members being slidable on the outside edges of the central rectangular member, and thin gripping jaws attached to the central rectangular member and to the pair of side members adapted to grip a shim or the like whereby the shim may rest on the centrally mounted rectangular member and on the pair of side members, said base blocks beingadapted to be gripped by the jaWs of a vise or the like.

3. A shim filing clamp comprising in combination a central flat rectangular memher, a pair of flat side members slidable on each side thereof, a flat thin jaw attached to the central member, a flat thin jaw attached to the side members, said jaws and the upper surfaces of the center and side members being positioned to support a shim resting flat on the side members and the central member and to be engaged edgewise by the jaws, means whereby the jaws may be movedtowards and from each other and side members slid longitudinally of the central member.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

HARRY F. SPOTTS. 

